“Were you a good boy while we were gone, Alex?”
“I was a bored boy.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he knew what was coming and wished them back.
“Poor baby.” She trailed her fingers over his thigh, edging them toward his groin. “Sounds like you need some entertainment.”
She had that purring, sultry voice down pat, he had to give her that. “I appreciate the offer, darling, but I have an iron-clad rule. I don’t mix business and pleasure.” He put his mouth close to her ear. “No matter how tempting.”
“I’m pretty sure I can change your mind.”
Alex grabbed her wayward hand, putting it on her lap. “If anyone could come close, it would be you, Trina. But I learned the hard way that mixing business and pleasure gets messy.” He hoped she bought his off-the-cuff excuse.
“Trina, leave him alone.” Ramon tossed the duffel back over the seat. “Here’s your chance to prove you’re not talking smack.”
Alex caught the heavy bag. “How much is in here?”
“Sixty thou,” Trina said.
“I believe you, but don’t be offended, because I’m going to count it. Had a dude try to pull one over on us once. Best if we all agree, don’t you think?” He unzipped the bag and started counting the packs of hundred-dollar bills. He counted one pack to see how many bills were banded together, then fanned through the rest to make sure the money was real.
Not only did he need to verify the amount of money in the bag but they would be suspicious if he didn’t.
He zipped the bag closed, setting it at his feet. “As soon as we run this through our businesses and set up the offshore accounts, I’ll give you the numbers.” They were finally getting a foot in, and if the first deposit meant to test him was sixty thousand, the operation was quite possibly bigger than they thought.
“Don’t try to cross us, Alex. It would be very bad for your health and that of your brothers,” Trina said, her eyes cold as she stared hard at him.
“Not to worry, darling. I like my health and that of my brothers just the way it is.” Offshore accounts actually would be set up, and the money made accessible to Ramon and his father. What the two wouldn’t know was that the FBI would also have access. Some operations lasted as long as a year, sometimes longer, and Alex hoped this wasn’t one of them. He wanted Madison separated from Ramon and his father, and the sooner the better.
After admitting to Nate and Court that he wasn’t sure he could stay away from Madison, they’d had a long talk. Among the many things he loved about his brothers, they always listened, though they might not like what he had to say. And his attraction to Madison was one of those times. His feelings for Madison had surprised them because it was a first for Alex. Hell, it surprised him, too. But as much as he’d tried to resist her, he kept finding himself at her window. That couldn’t continue, and his brothers had agreed.
The new plan, if he could get her to agree, was that they would openly date. His brothers liked that, believing it would get him even closer to the family. Alex wanted to find out what, if anything, she knew about her cousin and uncle’s business. The obstacle to their dating would be Ramon, how he would react.
Nate believed that even if Ramon didn’t like it—which Alex was sure he wouldn’t—in his twisted mind, the man would think Alex had a set of big ones for going after Madison after being warned off.
“Why don’t you come in with us, have some drinks, play a little pool,” Ramon said when they arrived back at his house.
Trina trailed her fingers down his arm. “Who knows, I might even get you to break your no-fraternization policy.”
“If anyone could, it would be you, beautiful.” He squeezed her hand. “Gotta take a rain check, though. It’s almost closing time, and I need to get back to the bar, help my brothers kick out the drunks.” He picked up the duffel bag. “Besides, I want to get this money somewhere safe.”
“When are we going to meet these brothers of yours?” Trina asked. “I don’t trust anyone I don’t know.” Her gaze roamed over him. “Are they as hot as you?”
Alex laughed. “No, I’m the hottest of the bunch. Of course, if you asked them, they’d each claim the same. Sure, let’s set up a meeting.”
Ramon turned, facing the backseat. “Trina and I will come by your bar tomorrow night. Check the place out.”
“Cool,” Alex said. He winked at Trina. “You’re in for a treat.”
The woman actually licked her lips, and Alex had never in his life been so happy to get away from anyone.